US Vice-President JD Vance has spent the past two weeks leading indirect talks with Iran aimed at reaching a new ceasefire and resuming nuclear negotiations, Axios reported, citing two sources with knowledge of the matter.

Daily talks with mediators

Mr Vance has held daily discussions with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir and other mediators relaying messages between Washington and Tehran. White House special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner are also involved in the diplomatic track, Axios reported. The vice-president's office declined to comment on the talks.

A letter to Tehran

The diplomatic push gathered pace about a fortnight ago, when Mr Vance sent a letter to Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, proposing the resumption of direct talks. Iranian officials told Axios the letter had created positive momentum. Mr Rezaei later confirmed receiving the letter but said he had not responded, according to Fox News. Mr Vance and the Qatari and Pakistani mediators have discussed setting up a working-level technical meeting of American and Iranian delegates, though none has yet taken place.

Diplomacy against the clock

President Donald Trump remains willing to let the diplomatic effort run to test whether a deal can be reached, US officials and regional sources told Axios. Officials cautioned, though, that American forces stand ready to resume strikes quickly if Mr Trump changes course. Mr Vance publicly blamed the Iran war for the Republicans' heavy midterm losses, and has argued for a negotiated settlement rather than renewed fighting.